Arched roof housing structure



June 20, 1961 w. c. WILKEN 2,988,810

ARCHED ROOF HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 17, 1958 v INVENTOR y /VAL me 6. MAKE/V A TTORNE Y5 2,988,810 7 ARCHED ROOF HOUSING STRUCTURE Walter C. Wilken, 214 S. 3rd St., Grand Forks, N. Dak. Filed Sept. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 761,524

' 2 Claims. (Cl. 29-449) This invention relates to arched building and roof construction adapted for wide use in the erection of inexpensive sheds, storage buildings, manufacturing plants and other housing structures.

It is an object of my invention to provide an inexpensive, rugged building construction employing in addition to an essential foundation or pair of horizontal supporting beams orplates, only a plurality of conventional corrugatedmetal sheets of thin gauge so formed and related and attached to the foundation or supporting plates as to constitute an integral arched building construction including roofand at least some portions of the side walls, which is durable and weather-proof and which requires no beams joists or braces for its support.

A further object is the provision of a very simple but highly eflicient method of producing and erecting a building structure of the class described where all steps may be quickly performed on the location and premises with the use of simple tools plus the important cooperation of .asuccessively employed forming and tensioning jig which is used in cooperation with the foundation or parallel supporting plates.

More specifically it is an object of my invention to provide a building construction of the class described and a simple method of producing and erecting the same where the main portion of the structure including-roof and side walls is composed entirely of sectionally installed, arched thin metal sheets having corrugations disposed circumferentially thereof with marginal corrugations overlapping and engaging for reinforcing and sealing and for insuring protection against wind and rain, said sections being successively formed and tensioned and successively secured in the said overlapping marginal relationship to the foundation or spaced supporting plates and to the adjacent sections.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of my invention as applied to a shed (not closed at its end) well adapted for mink farms, shelters or storage facilities;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same, on a somewhat larger scale taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a suitable forming and tensioning jig adapted to be successively employed in carrying out the essential steps of my novel method; and FIG. 4 is a detail, sectional view on a much. larger scale taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the interlocking and connection of two adjacent arched sheet metal sections of the structure.

I will now proceed to describe the essential method steps and the components and materials which are utilized in the production and erection of my improved building structure.

First, a 'base or foundation is required employing at least a pair of substantially horizontal supporting plates extending in parallel relationship and spaced apart throughout their lengths in accordance with the required width of the building structure. In the form of building structure or shed illustrated, the supporting plates are in the form of elongated 2x6 wooden beams B extending the full length of the building to be erected and as shown,

United States atent C) ICE secured to the upper ends of and supported by a series of vertical posts P which have their lower ends deeply embedded in the ground. The upper ends of said posts as shown are rectangularly notched to receive the respective beams B in edgewise relation with the horizontal, the outer side surfaces of the beams converging slightly as illustrated.

It will be understood of course that any horizontal foundation may be utilized which employs opposed and parallel horizontal portions having external facilitim for attachment as by nails, bolts, rivets or welding of the lower end edges of a plurality of arched sheet metal elements. As shown, the beams B are rigidly secured to the upper notched ends of the posts by transverse bolts- X. 1 It is essential, as will later be seen from explanation of the [cooperation of a successively employed jig, that the upper horizontal edges of the supporting plates or foundation be disposed somewhat above the ground, floor or other solid area intervening between the supporting plates.

The entire shelter or building structure of my invention including roof and at least portions of the side walls with the exception of its support and connection with the spaced supporting plates or beams B, is composed of a plurality or series of corrugated rectangular metal sheets such as galvanized steel readily available in the commercial field and sold in pre-cut widths and lengths and usually in flat packages where the corrugations of overlaid sheets are nested for compactness.

In practicing my method of production, such sheets are successively formed and arched and tensioned while disposed in upstanding bridging relation to the two supporting plates or beams B and while tensioned after initial securing of one of the end edges thereof to one of the beams, are secured at the opposite end edge to the opposed parallel beam. Thus a pre-cut sheet of relatively thin gauge with the corrugations running circumferentially is secured after forming and stretching of the sheet to con: stitute the first section of my building structure. The forming andstretching steps are carried out for the successive-sections on the location and between the horizontal supporting plates through the use of a shiftable jig indicated as an entirety by the letter I (see FIG. 3) which comprises as essential structure, a convex or arched sheetsupporting and forming surface of rigid construction and of a width to accommodate preferably, precisely the width of the pre-cut commercial corrugated metal sheet 5, together with, releasable feet, or equivalent releasable coupling structure which will support the lower portion of the jig in upstanding bridging relation across the spaced supporting plates or beams B of the foundation structure.

A convex arched surface and the elements defining the same are preferably of true 'arcuate shape so that thrust may be properly put upon the posts and of course the cross beams B which are interconnected with the posts.

The skeleton jig J illustrated in FIG. 3 has been found in actual practice, to be highly eflicient in carrying out my method for the purposes intended. As illustrated it employs a pairof spaced parallel rails 6 which may be of tubular metal, cross braced cent-rally and adjacent the ends thereof by tubular beams 7 and 8 respectively. A pair of similar upstanding arched members 9 are respec{ tively secured rigidly with the ends of the rails 6 and may also be of tubular metal welded or otherwise rigidly secured at the abutment areas 6a. The lower ends of the arched members 9 extend tangentially to the arched or upper portions and are disposed substantially vertically when the jig is employed to span the beams B along the inner side walls of the beams and into engagement there-- with. Removable supporting feet 10 of smaller diameter than the stock of the arched members 9 are detachably secured transversely intermediately of the leg portions 91% ofthearched members. These feet 10 may comprise rigid metal pins which sildably and transversely are accommodated in sockets drilled in said leg portions. In use of the jig, they abut the upper horizontal edges of the beams B and furnish support for the entire jig. The circumferential portions of arched members 9 are reinforced and interconnected by a series of cross bars 11 welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, inset below the peripheries of members 9 so that the corrugations of the metal sheets 5 may be nicely accommodated as clearly shown in FIG. 3. The structure of the jig is further reinforced as shown at each side thereof by a series of angularly spaced, radially extending bars 12, the lower ends of which are welded or otherwise rigidly connected with the central part of the respective rails 6 and the upper or outer ends of which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured at circumferentially spaced points to the arcuate upper portions of the arched members 9.

The important use of jig J and the steps of my method involving its use, are illustrated in FIG. 3 where the' jig J is shown operatively mounted in bridging relation across the two beams or plates 13 with the pins engaging the upper horizontal edges of the beams and with the leg pontions 9a below the pins contacting against the inner side surfaces of the beams to steadfastly position the jig. A conventional corrugated metal sheet is illustrated in dotted lines in its initial position of attachment to the left beam B and with the lower end edge of the sheet securely attached to the outer side surface of such beam by means such as a plurality of heavy nails N. An elongated jaw clamp is secured to the opposite and free end edge of the rectangular corrugated sheet S which may comprise opposed jaw members C interconnected by clamping screws and preferably having surfaces of complementary shape to the cross sec-tion of the corrugations. A suitable elongated handle H is connected with the lower edge of the clamp C to facilitate manual or if desired, winch pulling of the sheet around the convex arched upper surface of the jig.

While the forgoing description of the attachment and tensioning and forming of the sheets is accurate and satisfactory without more assistance in the steps, I prefer to first secure the sheet as shown in the drawings at its left hand edge to the appropriate beam B by a C clamp of the type illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 3 utilizing in conjunction therewith an elongated reinforcing medium such as a two by four associated with the clamp. The sheet is then carefully bent over the entire jig by handand the other end is secured by a C clamp. Then a rope or cable or two cables of ropes are hooked on to the first beam and brought up and over the top of the sheet along the line of overlap of the corrugations of the marginal edge with the successive and previously installed sheet. Thereafter, a lever such as a bar is hooked under the right hand beam and swung downwardly to tension the rope or ropes or cables drawing the sheet very forcibly into snug position. Thereafter while the sheet is so retained both ends are nailed or otherwise permanently connected at intervals along their edges to the respective beams. Utilization of such cables or ropes and particularly in the overlaps such installation of the sheets is very effective and easily carried out.

'It is essential that the sheet S from its free end be pulled and stretched downwardly with adequate force to tension the sheet and shape it to the predetermined arched contour of the jig. It is, of course, important in carrying out my method that the standard lengths of that corrugated sheet metal are such as to span when arched, the distances between the side surfaces of the supporting beams or plates B. Since a variety of lengths of such sheet material may be commercially obtained, it is only necessary tospace the beams B the proper distance apart to receive and engage the ends of the corrugated sheets when the latter are formed and tensioned, to the predetermined arched shape.

' In further carrying out my method when asheet has been pulled around the form of the jig and tensioned and while still tensioned with its free end edge then overlapping the ou-ter surface of the second beam B, such end edge is fixedly attached to the beam by driving a series of spaced nails or other fastening elements through such sheet and into the beam. 1

Thereafter, the removable feet or pins 10 may be readily removed from the leg portions 9a of the jig and the jig may then be lowered slightly below the then permanent position of the arched sheet and shifted to one side of the sheet section erected and then slightly raised for support again by replacement of the removable pins 10 upon the horizontal edges of the two plates B. Thereafter, the attachment, stretching and forming steps are repeated on a second rectangular corrugated sheet with use of the jib I, it being a very essential step of my method that in application of the second piece of sheet material, the marginal corrugation thereof must overlap, interengage and lock with the marginal corrugation of the first sheet. With such overlapping and interlocking, when the second sheet is formed and tensioned actual contact and sealing between the corrugated marginal portions of the two sheets is assured and reinforcement is obtained in the structure without employing any joists or arcuate hoops or additional reinforcing elements.

Section by section, the shelter or housing structure of my invention is attached, formed, tensioned and secured in the manner and with the utilization of the steps previously described, until the last section is completed and properly marginally overlapped, sealed and secured at its end edge with the adjacent section. It will of course be understood that my method may be carried out, starting with the intermediate section of the shelter or starting at either end.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a very economical and rugged building structure which can be quickly erected on location with the use of my improved method and without employment of skilled labor.

The sections are tightly sealed and interlocked and the completed structure will withstand heavy winds and rains without loss of efficiency.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

The structure, because of the sectional joining of overlapping corrugations and because of the arched roof construction, enables me to employ galvanized sheet steel or other metal of very light, inexpensive nature, as low as 29 gauge in thickness.

What is claimed:

1. The method of constructing a relatively small span arched building structure from conventional light gauge corrugated metal sheets which consists in providing a foundation structure having at least a pair of spaced substantially parallel horizontal supporting'plates, bridging a zone of the space between said plates with a shiftable upstanding jig detachably supported by said plates and of a size to support the width of a conventional corrugated metal sheet and having a convexly curved upper sheetforming surface, securing one end-edge of one of said sheets to a portion of one of said plates adjacent the base of said jig, forcibly stretching said sheet across and downwardly over the convex surface of said jig to form and tension said sheet, securing the second end-edge of said sheet while tensioned to the second horizontal plate adjacent the base of said jig, thereafter releasing and lowering said jig and shifting the same to a transverse bridging position between said plates immediately adjacent said secured sheet, repeating the operation previously described upon a second sheet and in so doing, disposing a corrugated marginal portion of the second sheet in overlying and contacting relation with the corrugated marginal portion of said first sheet to interlock said sheets and reinforce the marginal edges thereof and continuing the said steps in successive operation upon a plurality of additional corrugated sheets, until the desired length of said structure is obtained.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said jig is detachably supported by said plates by inserting re- 5 movable members through portions of the jig, the removable members resting upon the upper surfaces of said horizontal supporting plates, said jig being released by removing said removable members from the jig, said removable members being replaced in place in the jig after 10 shifting the jig to its next subsequent position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Minnich Jan. 11, 1910 Knox 'May 21, 1918 Geyer Aug. 11, 1925 Wallis Mar. 11, 1941 Sherman Oct. 10, 1944 Fouhy Feb. 4, 1947 Rapp Sept. 9, 1947 Vartia Mar. 11, 1958 

